Sowing beans using cotton is a fun experiment that you can use to teach kids the process of growing plants, or simply plant a garden at home. Use a bowl or jar to store the cotton, then add the beans and water, and expose them to sunlight for the beans to germinate. After germination, the beans can be moved into the soil to keep growing.
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Part 1 of 2: Sowing Beans in Cotton
Step 1. Select the type of dry beans you want to grow
You can sow dry beans of any type using a cotton swab. Purchase a packet of nuts if you need instructions on how to sow them in the ground after they germinate, or use dry, mature beans if you just want to experiment.
To keep plants compact, choose plants like chickpeas. Plants like this don't need trellises or posts to support them, and will only grow to a height of about 0.5 meters. If you choose the pole bean species, the vines can grow up to 4.5 meters long so you will need to provide plenty of room for the plant to thrive
Step 2. Soak the beans in water overnight to speed up the seeding process
Put the beans in a bowl or cup and fill with water. Let the beans soak in water at room temperature overnight. The soaking process helps soften the outer shell of the beans so the beans can germinate more easily.
Do not use hot water as it may cook or partially scorch the beans. Use cold or warm water
Step 3. Fill the glass or plastic cup with cotton until it is three-quarters full
Do not squeeze the cotton into the bottom of the glass. Allow the cotton to settle loosely in the container. Keep filling the glass or cup until the top layer of cotton is within 2.5-5 centimeters of the mouth of the jar or cup.
You can also put the nuts in a plastic bag if you don't have a cup or jar. However, you will need to transfer the sprouts to a jar, plastic cup, or soil once there is no more room for plant growth
Step 4. Wet a cotton swab with water until it is damp
Drop about 30-60 ml of water on a cotton swab to wet it. Don't add too much water to keep the beans germinating. Just add enough water to wet the cotton swab and make sure that no excess water collects at the bottom of the glass or cup.
Tip: If you accidentally add too much water, remove the water while holding the cotton swab so it doesn't come out of the cup/cup.
Step 5. Separate 2-3 nuts at a distance of 2.5 centimeters in grooves on the surface of the cotton
Press your finger on the cotton to make shallow indentations to hold or place the nuts. Make 2-3 indentations in each cup 2.5 centimeters apart. Place the beans in the grooves in the cotton. Do not push the nuts or bury them in the cotton.
Do not sow more than three beans per glass/cup as there will not be enough room for each bean to germinate
Step 6. Store a glass or jar of nuts in a sunny place for 30 minutes per day, then transfer to a bright place afterward
Peanuts need to get 30 minutes of sun exposure every day. After that, you can move it to a sunny place and not exposed to direct sunlight for the whole day. This is important to remember because too much sun exposure can stop the bean germination process.
Do not store nuts in a dark place, such as a cupboard
Step 7. Water the beans when the cotton starts to dry
When the weather is hot, you will need to water the cotton every two days. When the weather is cold, you need to water it twice a week.
If the beans don't germinate, it's because the beans weren't getting enough sun exposure, or the cotton was too dry or wet
Step 8. Observe the germination of the beans after about three days
The beans will begin to germinate at this stage, but if they don't, keep an eye on them for a few more days. If nothing changes within a week, repeat the process with new beans.
Part 2 of 2: Transferring Sprouts to the Ground
Step 1. Plant the sprouts and cotton in the ground once they reach 20 centimeters in height
Measure the sprouts once a week to keep track of their growth. Plants are ready to be moved once they reach 20 centimeters in height. Do not separate the sprouts from the cotton when you are ready to transplant them into the soil.
Do not separate the bean roots with cotton. Otherwise, the plant will die
Tip: You can still plant bean sprouts in cotton, but growth may be slower and the plant will not grow as large as it was planted or transplanted into the ground.
Step 2. Leave about 7.5–10 cm between plants, with 0.75–1 m between each line
Use a ruler or tape measure to check the distance. Dig a hole deep enough to completely cover the cotton and bean roots. After that, transfer each pea and cotton plant to the hole. Bury the cotton with 2.5 centimeters of soil.
If placed too close together, the beans will not grow. Therefore, ensure that each bean is planted at least 7.5 centimeters apart
Step 3. Plant 6 pole bean plants around the pole at a distance of 1-1.25 meters
Make a mound of earth and insert a 2-2.5 meter high pole in the center. Plant 6 pea plants around them in a circle so that each plant is an equal distance from the pole (about 15-20 centimeters) and other plants. Dig a deep enough hole and cover the cotton with soil until it reaches a height of 2.5 centimeters.
Step 4. Water the plant once a week when the weather is hot or the soil is dry
After planting the beans, water the plant. After that, check the plants weekly (or more often) if the weather is hot. If it rains, you don't need to water the plants for up to a week. Therefore, it's a good idea to always check the weather forecast.
You can check the condition of the soil by inserting your finger 2.5 centimeters into the soil next to the plant. If the soil feels dry, it's time to water the plants
Step 5. Fertilize the soil around the plant using a 10-20-10 NPK fertilizer
Sprinkle fertilizer on the soil around the plants and between the furrows. Use 0.9-1.3 kilograms of fertilizer for each 3 x 3 meter plot. Mix the fertilizer with the soil (7.5-10 cm deep) around the plant.
You can buy NPK 10-20-10 fertilizer from a home supply store or plant store
Step 6. Pick the nuts when they are ready to be harvested
Pull the nuts carefully to remove them from the plant to prevent damage to the beans or plant. Plants will continue to grow after the first harvest. The time it takes for the beans to be ready to harvest will depend on the type of beans grown. Therefore, check the information on the seed or nut package if you are not sure.
